Let’s be honest: most CXO job descriptions are missing a key requirement. They list leadership and strategy, but they rarely mention the unspoken rule—that these roles are often filled through networks, not online applications.
If the thought of “working a room” makes you want to hide in the bathroom, you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t have to become a charismatic schmoozer to get there. You just need to play a different, quieter game.
Your game is the long game, and it’s surprisingly powerful.
1. Think Turtle, Not Hare
Forget the idea of networking as a transaction. You’re not dropping a coin into a vending machine and expecting a job to pop out.
This is about compound interest. Tiny, consistent actions—a comment here, a shared article there—build up silently. One day, you’ll look up and realize you’ve built real momentum.
2. Small Steps Beat Grand Gestures
You don’t need to make a big, awkward speech. The magic is in the micro-connections.
- Seen a post you liked? Leave a genuine comment.
- Read an article that reminded you of someone? Hit forward.
- Appreciate someone’s work? Send a two-sentence note saying so.
These small acts feel authentic, not forced, and they keep you on people’s radar without the ick factor.
3. Let Your Work Do the Talking
At the CXO level, charm is overrated. Credibility is everything.
Focus on building a reputation as someone who knows their stuff. Share your hard-won insights, mentor someone junior, or talk about a project you’re proud of. Your track record and trustworthiness are your greatest networking assets.
4. Go for Depth, Not Width
Trying to connect with everyone is exhausting and ineffective. Instead, be a strategist.
Pick a handful of people (say, 10-15) in your field whose work you genuinely admire. Follow their journey. Engage with their ideas when you have something real to say. Consistent, thoughtful attention to a few is far more powerful than scattered outreach to hundreds.
5. Be a Gardener, Not a Hunter
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.
Start building connections before you need them. Offer a helpful introduction, share a relevant insight, or cheer on a peer’s success. People remember who was there when there was nothing obvious to gain.
6. Build Your Own Gravity
Instead of chasing after people, create a space that pulls them in.
- Share a short, sharp lesson you learned from a mistake.
- Write down a framework that worked for your team.
- Post a real story about a leadership challenge.
When you share valuable ideas, you don’t have to find people—they find you. This is the quiet person’s superpower.
7. Embrace Your Slow-Brew Advantage
If you’re not a natural networker, your secret weapon is patience. Your relationships might take longer to build, but they’ll be rooted in genuine respect and shared value. When a top-level role opens up, that depth of connection matters far more than a thousand superficial LinkedIn contacts.